COQL or deluge API, how to get the total count that match criteria?

This is a simple count, but given the 200 record limit, and the fact that I don't need any of the results, just the count, why do I have to page through and perform such an expensive operation. The following shows how I successfully used deluge and COQL to aggregate a count, but again, there must be an easier way that is less expensive. The following I use to count Contacts, and it iterates 32 times, that's 32 queries, just to get a single number: row count.

selectQuery = "select id from Contacts WHERE id is not null";
/**
* @param {String} selectQuery - The select query to be executed
* e.g. select id from module where id is not null
* NOTE: the select query will have limit appended to it. You must select the id.
*/
queryMap = Map();
attempt = " ";
retryLoop = attempt.leftPad(99).replaceAll(" ",","); // Creates 100 loops
iteration = 0;
aggregateIds = List();
for each retry in retryLoop
{
info "iteration: " + iteration;
queryMap.put("select_query", selectQuery + " limit " + iteration*200 + ", 200");
response = invokeurl
[
    url :"https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v3/coql"
    type :POST
    parameters:queryMap.toString()
    connection: "coql"
];
// Create a combined List
for each pointer in response.get("data")
{
      aggregateIds.add(pointer.get("id"));
}
if(response.get("info").get("more_records") == false)
{
    break;
}
iteration = iteration + 1;
}

aggregateIdsSize = aggregateIds.size();
info "aggregateIds: " + aggregateIdsSize + " for " + selectQuery;
return aggregateIdsSize;

How can this be done more simply, with less computation and complication?

Zoho Desk Resources

Desk Community Learning Series
Digest
Functions
Meetups
Kbase
Resources
Glossary
Desk Marketplace
MVP Corner
Word of the Day

Sticky Posts
Kaizen #165 : How to call Zoho CRM APIs using Client Script
Welcome back to another exciting Client Script post! In this post, we will discuss one of the most frequently asked questions: How do you call Zoho CRM APIs from Client Scripts? In this kaizen post, 1. Ways to make calls to Zoho CRM APIs using Client
Kaizen#162 : Add Tags and Open Pre-filled Email Drafts via Client Scripts
Hello everyone! Welcome to another informative Kaizen post. In this post, let us see how to accomplish the following using Client Script. 1. How to auto-tag a record based on field update? 2. How to Open a pre-filled email draft This post will provide
Client Script | Update - Introducing Commands in Client Script!
Have you ever wished you could trigger Client Script from contexts other than just the supported pages and events? Have you ever wanted to leverage the advantage of Client Script at your finger tip? Discover the power of Client Script - Commands! Commands
Extension Pointers - JS SDK series #4: Managing data from a widget using ZOHO.CRM.HTTP
Handling and managing the data between two applications is a major factor for an efficient business. There are a variety of ways to handle data between Zoho CRM and other third-party applications. You can use deluge CRM tasks, create connectors, use API
Kaizen #152 - Client Script Support for the new Canvas Record Forms
Hello everyone! Have you ever wanted to trigger actions on click of a canvas button, icon, or text mandatory forms in Create/Edit and Clone Pages? Have you ever wanted to control how elements behave on the new Canvas Record Forms? This can be achieved